Background The objective of this study is to understand the relationship between physique, physical fitness, and balance performance for snowboard athletes. Methods We considered all Korean national snowboard athletes (n = 9 with 6 males and 3 females, age = 17.44 ± 4.42), who have an experience of competition at continental cup level, to measure their physique, physical fitness, and (both static and dynamic) balance. Static balance was evaluated based on one-legged standing, while dynamic balance was estimated using a stability platform. Results Static balance is strongly correlated ( p < 0.05) with circumference of the left lower leg (34.49 ± 2.42 cm; ρ = 0.68), sit-up (57.56 ± 8.8; ρ = 0.72), sargent jump (50.22 ± 11.78 cm; ρ = 0.67), strength of bench press (39.11 ± 17.73 kg; ρ = 0.67), angle of left ankle dorsiflexion (73.78 ± 7.86°; ρ = 0.77), average extension strength at 180° for left knee (321 ± 63.95 %BW; ρ = 0.77) and right knee (337 ± 60.32 %BW; ρ = 0.77), and right knee peak flexion strength at 60° (148 ± 25.61 %BW; ρ = 0.73). Center dynamic balance is negatively correlated with circumference of the right lower leg (34.63 ± 2.38 cm; ρ = −0.67, p < 0.05), while right dynamic balance is positively correlated with left ankle flexion (148.44 ± 5.20°; ρ = 0.78, p < 0.05). Conclusion Static balance is related to core muscle endurance and power, ankle flexibility, and knee stability, while dynamic balance is negatively correlated with circumference of the most frequently used lower leg (i.e., the leg dominating the snowboarding stance). The relationship between physique, physical fitness, and balance provides an insight into improving the balance performance of elite snowboard athletes through a training program that can affect the physique and physical fitness factors related to balance.

The purpose of this study is verifying the effectiveness of balance as a tool to correct a youth's wrong gait posture through comparative analysis of balance and gait among the youth group of normal-weight, overweight and obesity, and studying of the comparison of balance and gait with degree of obesity (Body Mass Index: BMI) and biomechanical gait analysis. There was a statistically significant difference in stability test items (p <.05). In a step width obese adolescent statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was found. As the step width is one of gait factors, obese and overweight adolescent has large step width compare to normal adolescents. These results suggest the view, obese adolescents compared to normal weight adolescents lack balance, and step width is wider. When balance is better, step width and obesity level are reduced. When step width is shorter, the obesity level is lower. As a result, if the balance is better, the gaits close to how normal weight adolescents walk, because, in conclusion, if balance improves the gait will be corrected. Keywords:We would like to encourage you to list your keywords in this section

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